Effects of 8-week posture exercises on vertical jump and posture in 7-14 age female volleyball players

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of posture exercises on vertical jump performance and posture structure in volleyball players of different age groups. A total of 84 volleyball players (experimental group n=45, control group n=39) between the ages of 7 and 14 participated voluntarily in our study. The experimental group received a planned posture exercise program for 8 weeks, while the control group received no additional exercise program. Pre-test and post-test measurements for both groups included height, weight, skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage, vertical jump height, posture analysis, and strength variables. Data were analyzed using Paired Samples T-Test, Independent Samples T-Test, and Wilcoxon tests. The findings revealed that statistically significant differences were found between the pre-test and post-test values in the weight (p=0.00), skeletal muscle weight (p=0.00), vertical jump (p=0.006), posture analysis (p=0.00), and anaerobic power (p=0.001) parameters of the athletes in the experimental group (p<0.05). A decrease in body fat percentage (p=0.131) was observed, but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the control group, statistically significant differences were found only in the posture analysis (p=0.015) and anaerobic power (p=0.025) parameters. These results demonstrate that the 8-week posture exercises were effective in improving posture and anaerobic power (p<0.05). In conclusion, the implemented posture exercise program positively contributed to vertical jump and anaerobic power by improving posture in volleyball players. The program was statistically determined to have a more significant effect on athletes aged 9–12. The findings suggest that planned and systematic exercise at an early age is important for both maintaining postural control and improving athletic performance. Furthermore, we can say that posture improves, particularly in individuals who participate in sports and have postural disorders, and consequently, their quality of life improves. Keywords: Posture, postural exercises, volleyball, vertical jump, anaerobic power